James Wade has lost a valuable point in the battle for the play-offs in the Premier League Darts. Michael Smith earned a point against 'The Machine' after breaking his throw in the last leg.
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The game started fantastic with a stunning 11-dart leg and a 128 finish by Smith, while Wade hit a 144 check-out and a 65 finish in the first five legs. After five legs both players had not missed a dart on the doubles yet, while both players averaged around 105.
But the level dropped considerably in the second half of the match. Wade missed four darts to make 3-3, before Smith hit double 10 to take a 4-2 lead. However 'Bullyboy' was unable to retain his lead in leg five and six as he missed four doubles. 'The Machine' leveled the match in the eighth leg with a 60 finish.
Both players missed doubles in the ninth leg, before Smith moved 5-4 ahead with a 21-darter. The World Championship finalist failed to extend his lead and Wade took out 52 for 5-5.
A 13-dart leg and a superb 161 finish put the left-hander one leg away from victory, but was unable to seal the win. 'Bullyboy' reduced the deficit with a 13-darter, but Wade had the throw in the decider. However the Aldershot ace failed to create a match-dart within six turns and Smith claimed a point with a 48 finish.
Click here for more information about the Premier League Darts, including all the fixtures and the prize fund breakdown.
But the level dropped considerably in the second half of the match. Wade missed four darts to make 3-3, before Smith hit double 10 to take a 4-2 lead. However 'Bullyboy' was unable to retain his lead in leg five and six as he missed four doubles. 'The Machine' leveled the match in the eighth leg with a 60 finish.
Both players missed doubles in the ninth leg, before Smith moved 5-4 ahead with a 21-darter. The World Championship finalist failed to extend his lead and Wade took out 52 for 5-5.
A 13-dart leg and a superb 161 finish put the left-hander one leg away from victory, but was unable to seal the win. 'Bullyboy' reduced the deficit with a 13-darter, but Wade had the throw in the decider. However the Aldershot ace failed to create a match-dart within six turns and Smith claimed a point with a 48 finish.
Click here for more information about the Premier League Darts, including all the fixtures and the prize fund breakdown.
Night 15 - Thursday May 9
The FlyDSA Arena, Sheffield
James Wade (95.77) 7-7 (92.80) Michael Smith
Rob Cross vs Mensur Suljovic
Daryl Gurney vs Gerwyn Price
Peter Wright vs Michael van Gerwen
https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/1126558366904381441
Rob Cross vs Mensur Suljovic
Daryl Gurney vs Gerwyn Price
Peter Wright vs Michael van Gerwen
https://twitter.com/OfficialPDC/status/1126558366904381441
I stumbled into the world of darts quite by accident back in 2013. For a Journalism School assignment, I had to produce a live sports report and as it happened, the European Tour event in Veldhoven was the only available option. That weekend, I caught the darts bug. The post-match interviews especially appealed to me, as darts players tend to be much more open and approachable than what you usually see with footballers on television.
After a few detours, I joined Dartsnieuws.com in 2017 as editor-in-chief. I don’t have much competitive experience myself, although I once entered a PDC Development Tour weekend just to experience what it’s like from a player’s perspective. I even managed to win a leg against a Tour Card holder and, quite by accident, earned £50 in prize money.
In 2022, I was also involved in the founding of the TOTO Dart Kings, a commercial darts team, where I worked as media manager for three years. Unfortunately, due to new legislation in the Netherlands, that project came to an end in 2025.
Through my work in darts, I’ve been fortunate to travel to some incredible events, from Premier League nights at Ahoy Rotterdam, to several World Championships, and even the US Darts Masters at Madison Square Garden in New York.
Beyond darts, I’m a passionate sports fan in general. You can always wake me up for a game of tennis or padel, and I love following football, tennis, padel, cycling, Formula 1, and ice skating.
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